by lilipad

Created on: April 25, 2008

I saw heaven when I was eight. I knew it was heaven because I enjoyed it. It was one of those times when I proved that being a girl didn't deter me from becoming a winner. Like racing with boys of my age and reaching the goal post first or climbing trees and getting to the top first. That was pure heaven. I showed every one I was as much a fast runner as the next boy, as well as the smartest to win. It was heaven to show the boys I wasn't JUST a girl. At play and at school.

I remembered school quite well. I sat at the back of the class. My choice. I had difficulty making friends. No, I wasn't a snob. I was a girl with prominent front teeth, curl-less, very straight hair, and a top speller. At recess, I read alone at the farthest and quietest area of the playground. Once in a while I was asked to join a game of softball. Only because some of my classmates knew I was a good catcher and a fast runner. Although I realized why they wanted me in their team, that didn't worry me at all. I was in heaven when I caught the ball perfectly or ran the bases much faster than the others. And scoring. That was complete heaven.

At the end of a school day, I remembered going directly home. At that time, homework was not a problem. According to my English teacher and the principal of the school, who was at times stern in enforcing her rules and at other times, flexible in allowing pupils to "catch up" with work, homework was unnecessary. She refused to extend school work beyond the classroom. Instead, she taught the class with as much emphasis on listening, learning, and understanding
the lessons at hand and by heart. Memorizing was taboo. She forbade it. It was a heavenly, exciting learning period of my young life.

Memories of my young life did not fade with the passing years. They remained hidden within the confines of my heart, which I revisited at one time or another. Memories became part of my growing years and my constant companion as I matured. When I looked back to that part of my growth period, I realized how childishly vulnerable I was. I enjoyed my youth, however. It was, I believe, a part of my life that gave me character.

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